The Los Angeles Sparks and coach Curt Miller have mutually agreed to part ways, the team announced Tuesday.
The Sparks finished last in the 12-team WNBA at 8-32 this season, 24 games behind the first-place New York Liberty. Miller was 25-55 in his two seasons at the helm, and Los Angeles has now missed the playoffs for a franchise-record four consecutive years.
“On behalf of our ownership group and franchise, I would like to thank Coach Miller for his passion and commitment to the Sparks organization these past two seasons,” Sparks governor and managing partner Eric Holoman said in a statement. “We wish him well moving forward.”
Miller, 55, has a 165-141 record as a head coach in the WNBA, previously spending seven seasons with the Connecticut Sun (2016-22). He was named Coach of the Year in 2017 and 2021, also earning Executive of the Year honors in 2017.
The Sun reached the WNBA Finals in 2019 (losing to the Washington Mystics) and in 2022 (losing to the Las Vegas Aces), after which Miller left Connecticut for Los Angeles.
“I want to thank the entire Sparks organization for the opportunity to lead and help rebuild the franchise,” Miller said in a statement. “I am proud of the culture created in our locker room and strongly believe the roots have been established for a bright future. The team is now positioned for success, and I wish the players the best heading into the 2025 season.”
The Sparks were in a rebuild in 2024 after losing star Nneka Ogwumike to the Seattle Storm in free agency after she spent 12 seasons in Los Angeles. Cameron Brink, the second overall pick in the 2024 draft, tore her ACL in the 15th game of the season and was lost for the year.
The Sparks traded for the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s draft and took Rickea Jackson, who was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team. All-Star forward Dearica Hamby was voted the league’s Most Improved Player.
–Field Level Media
